Device, method, and graphical user interface for outputting captions

ABSTRACT

An electronic device outputs a first caption of a plurality of captions while a first segment of a video is being played, where the first video segment corresponds to the first caption. While outputting the first caption, the device receives a first user input. In response to receiving the first user input, the device determines a second caption in the plurality of captions, distinct from the first caption, that meets predefined caption selection criteria; determines a second segment of the video that corresponds to the second caption; sends instructions to change from playing the first segment of the video to playing the second segment of the video; and outputs the second caption.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/783,540, filed on Mar. 14, 2013, entitled DEVICE, METHOD, ANDGRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR OUTPUTTING CAPTIONS, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entity for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This relates generally to electronic devices, including but not limitedto electronic devices that output captions for movies and other videocontent.

BACKGROUND

The use of electronic devices to receive and/or stream content, such asvideos, has increased significantly in recent years. Further, with theglobalization of the market for content, users have more access toforeign video content than ever before. The foreign video content oftencomes with subtitles, in order to give the user the option of hearingthe original speech and intonations in the foreign video content. Thisforeign video content adds to the wealth of video content that hasclosed captions, subtitles, or the like that are displayed on screen.

But users who are blind or have low vision are not able to see captions,subtitles, or the like displayed on-screen. Thus, users with impairedvision may have to listen to dubbed speech, which is often inferior tothe original speech. This detracts from the users' enjoyment of thecontent. Further, because blind and low-vision users cannot see thevideo content, they have difficulty fast forwarding or rewinding throughvideo content using conventional methods.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, there is a need for electronic devices with more efficientand more accessible methods and interfaces for outputting captions. Suchmethods and interfaces may complement or replace conventional methodsfor outputting captions. Such methods and interfaces reduce thecognitive burden on a user and produce a more efficient human-machineinterface, particularly for users with impaired vision.

The above deficiencies and other problems associated with userinterfaces for electronic devices are reduced or eliminated by thedisclosed devices. In some embodiments, the device is a desktopcomputer. In some embodiments, the device is portable (e.g., a notebookcomputer, tablet computer, or handheld device). In some embodiments, thedevice has a touchpad. In some embodiments, the device has atouch-sensitive display (also known as a “touch screen” or “touch screendisplay”). In some embodiments, the device is a content streaming orreceiving device (e.g., digital media receiver, media streamer, digitalmedia hub, digital media adapter). In some embodiments, the device is atelevision. In some embodiments, the device has a graphical userinterface (GUI), one or more processors, memory and one or more modules,programs or sets of instructions stored in the memory for performingmultiple functions. In some embodiments, the user interacts with the GUIprimarily through finger contacts and gestures on the touch-sensitivesurface. In some embodiments, the functions may include image editing,drawing, presenting, word processing, website creating, disk authoring,spreadsheet making, game playing, telephoning, video conferencing,e-mailing, instant messaging, workout support, digital photographing,digital videoing, web browsing, digital music playing, and/or digitalvideo playing. Executable instructions for performing these functionsmay be included in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium orother computer program product configured for execution by one or moreprocessors.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at anelectronic device. The method includes: outputting a first caption of aplurality of captions while a first segment of a video is being played,where the first video segment corresponds to the first caption; whileoutputting the first caption, receiving a first user input; and, inresponse to receiving the first user input: determining a second captionin the plurality of captions, distinct from the first caption, thatmeets predefined caption selection criteria; determining a secondsegment of the video that corresponds to the second caption; sendinginstructions to change from playing the first segment of the video toplaying the second segment of the video; and outputting the secondcaption.

In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes oneor more processors, memory, and one or more programs. The one or moreprograms are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by theone or more processors. The one or more programs include instructionsfor: outputting a first caption of a plurality of captions while a firstsegment of a video is being played, where the first video segmentcorresponds to the first caption; while outputting the first caption,receiving a first user input; and, in response to receiving the firstuser input: determining a second caption in the plurality of captions,distinct from the first caption, that meets predefined caption selectioncriteria; determining a second segment of the video that corresponds tothe second caption; sending instructions to change from playing thefirst segment of the video to playing the second segment of the video;and outputting the second caption.

In accordance with some embodiments, a computer readable storage mediumhas stored therein instructions which when executed by an electronicdevice, cause the device to: output a first caption of a plurality ofcaptions while a first segment of a video is being played, where thefirst video segment corresponds to the first caption; while outputtingthe first caption, receive a first user input; and, in response toreceiving the first user input: determine a second caption in theplurality of captions, distinct from the first caption, that meetspredefined caption selection criteria; determine a second segment of thevideo that corresponds to the second caption; send instructions tochange from playing the first segment of the video to playing the secondsegment of the video; and output the second caption.

In accordance with some embodiments, a graphical user interface on anelectronic device, a memory, and one or more processors to execute oneor more programs stored in the memory includes a video; wherein: a firstcaption of the plurality of captions is output while a first segment ofthe video is being played, where the first video segment corresponds tothe first caption; and, in response to receiving a first user inputwhile outputting the first caption: a second caption in the plurality ofcaptions, distinct from the first caption, that meets predefined captionselection criteria, is determined; a second segment of the video thatcorresponds to the second caption is determined; instructions to changefrom playing the first segment of the video to playing the secondsegment of the video are sent; and the second caption is output.

In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes:means for outputting a first caption of a plurality of captions while afirst segment of a video is being played, where the first video segmentcorresponds to the first caption; while outputting the first caption,means for receiving a first user input; and, means responsive toreceiving the first user input, including: means for determining asecond caption in the plurality of captions, distinct from the firstcaption, that meets predefined caption selection criteria; means fordetermining a second segment of the video that corresponds to the secondcaption; means for sending instructions to change from playing the firstsegment of the video to playing the second segment of the video; andmeans for outputting the second caption.

In accordance with some embodiments, an information processing apparatusfor use in an electronic device includes: means for outputting a firstcaption of a plurality of captions while a first segment of a video isbeing played, where the first video segment corresponds to the firstcaption; while outputting the first caption, means for receiving a firstuser input; and, means responsive to receiving the first user input,including: means for determining a second caption in the plurality ofcaptions, distinct from the first caption, that meets predefined captionselection criteria; means for determining a second segment of the videothat corresponds to the second caption; means for sending instructionsto change from playing the first segment of the video to playing thesecond segment of the video; and means for outputting the secondcaption.

In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes aprocessing unit. The processing unit is configured to: output a firstcaption of a plurality of captions while a first segment of a video isbeing played, where the first video segment corresponds to the firstcaption; while outputting the first caption, receive a first user input;and, in response to receiving the first user input: determine a secondcaption in the plurality of captions, distinct from the first caption,that meets predefined caption selection criteria; determine a secondsegment of the video that corresponds to the second caption; sendinstructions to change from playing the first segment of the video toplaying the second segment of the video; and output the second caption.

Thus, electronic devices are provided with more efficient methods andinterfaces for outputting captions, thereby increasing theeffectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction with such devices. Suchmethods and interfaces may complement or replace conventional methodsfor outputting captions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the aforementioned embodiments of theinvention as well as additional embodiments thereof, reference should bemade to the Description of Embodiments below, in conjunction with thefollowing drawings in which like reference numerals refer tocorresponding parts throughout the figures.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a portable multifunction devicewith a touch-sensitive display in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components for eventhandling in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portable multifunction device having a touch screenin accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary multifunction device with adisplay and a touch-sensitive surface in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary user interface for a menu ofapplications on a portable multifunction device in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 4B illustrates an exemplary user interface for a multifunctiondevice with a touch-sensitive surface that is separate from the displayin accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4C illustrate an exemplary refreshable braille display inconjunction with an electronic device in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 4D illustrate an exemplary refreshable braille display inconjunction with an electronic device in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 5A-5E illustrate exemplary user interfaces for outputting captionsin accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6C are flow diagrams illustrating a method of outputtingcaptions in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of an electronic device inaccordance with some embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Described below are devices and methods that enable users to quicklynavigate to different captions and corresponding video segments in avideo. The methods described herein include: outputting a differentvideo segment in a video and the corresponding caption in response to aninput; outputting a different video segment in a video and thecorresponding caption based on the caption location on screen or thespeaker; outputting audio for the captions, including using differentspeaker profiles for synthesizing the audio; and outputting captions toa refreshable braille display. These methods make consumption of videocontent a more enjoyable experience, including for blind or low-visionusers.

Below, FIGS. 1A-1B, 2, and 3 provide a description of exemplary devices.FIGS. 4C-4D provide descriptions of exemplary devices coupled withrefreshable braille displays. FIGS. 4A-4B and 5A-5E illustrate exemplaryuser interfaces, including user interfaces for outputting captions.FIGS. 6A-6C are flow diagrams illustrating a method of outputtingcaptions. The user interfaces in FIGS. 5A-5E are used to illustrate theprocesses in FIGS. 6A-6C.

Exemplary Devices

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detaileddescription, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present inventionmay be practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks havenot been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspectsof the embodiments.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another. For example, a first contact could be termed asecond contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a firstcontact, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thefirst contact and the second contact are both contacts, but they are notthe same contact.

The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is notintended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description ofthe invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and“the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless thecontext clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that theterm “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and allpossible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Itwill be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,”“comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon”or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” dependingon the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [astated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upondetermining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [thestated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the statedcondition or event],” depending on the context.

Embodiments of electronic devices, user interfaces for such devices, andassociated processes for using such devices are described. In someembodiments, the device is a portable communications device, such as amobile telephone, that also contains other functions, such as PDA and/ormusic player functions. Exemplary embodiments of portable multifunctiondevices include, without limitation, the iPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad®devices from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Other portable electronicdevices, such as laptops or tablet computers with touch-sensitivesurfaces (e.g., touch screen displays and/or touch pads), may also beused. It should also be understood that, in some embodiments, the deviceis not a portable communications device, but is a desktop computer witha touch-sensitive surface (e.g., a touch screen display and/or a touchpad). In some embodiments, the device is a digital media receiver or thelike in communication with a display. Exemplary embodiments of digitalmedia receivers include, without limitation, the Apple TV™ device fromApple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. In some embodiments, the device is atelevision with integrated digital media receiver capability and/orintegrated capability to receive and decode cable, satellite, and/orbroadcast television signals (e.g., “smart TV”, “connected TV”, “hybridTV”).

In the discussion that follows, an electronic device is described. Theelectronic device includes a display or is connected to a display (e.g.,by wired or wireless communication channel 486, FIG. 4C) It should beunderstood, however, that the electronic device optionally includes oris connected to (e.g., by wired or wireless communication channel 484,FIG. 4C or 4D) one or more other physical user-interface devices, suchas a physical keyboard, a mouse, a braille display, a remote control,and/or a joystick.

The device typically supports a variety of applications, such as one ormore of the following: a drawing application, a presentationapplication, a word processing application, a website creationapplication, a disk authoring application, a spreadsheet application, agaming application, a telephone application, a video conferencingapplication, an e-mail application, an instant messaging application, aworkout support application, a photo management application, a digitalcamera application, a digital video camera application, a web browsingapplication, a digital music player application, and/or a digital videoplayer application.

The various applications that may be executed on the device may use atleast one common physical user-interface device, such as thetouch-sensitive surface. One or more functions of the touch-sensitivesurface as well as corresponding information displayed on the device maybe adjusted and/or varied from one application to the next and/or withina respective application. In this way, a common physical architecture(such as the touch-sensitive surface) of the device may support thevariety of applications with user interfaces that are intuitive andtransparent to the user.

Attention is now directed toward embodiments of portable devices withtouch-sensitive displays. FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustratingportable multifunction device 100 with touch-sensitive displays 112 inaccordance with some embodiments. Touch-sensitive display 112 issometimes called a “touch screen” for convenience, and may also be knownas or called a touch-sensitive display system. Device 100 may includememory 102 (which may include one or more computer readable storagemediums), memory controller 122, one or more processing units (CPU's)120, peripherals interface 118, RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110,speaker 111, microphone 113, input/output (I/O) subsystem 106, otherinput or control devices 116, and external port 124. Device 100 mayinclude one or more optical sensors 164. These components maycommunicate over one or more communication buses or signal lines 103.

It should be appreciated that device 100 is only one example of aportable multifunction device, and that device 100 may have more orfewer components than shown, may combine two or more components, or mayhave a different configuration or arrangement of the components. Thevarious components shown in FIG. 1A may be implemented in hardware,software, or a combination of both hardware and software, including oneor more signal processing and/or application specific integratedcircuits.

Memory 102 may include high-speed random access memory and may alsoinclude non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storagedevices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state memorydevices. Access to memory 102 by other components of device 100, such asCPU 120 and the peripherals interface 118, may be controlled by memorycontroller 122.

Peripherals interface 118 can be used to couple input and outputperipherals of the device to CPU 120 and memory 102. The one or moreprocessors 120 run or execute various software programs and/or sets ofinstructions stored in memory 102 to perform various functions fordevice 100 and to process data.

In some embodiments, peripherals interface 118, CPU 120, and memorycontroller 122 may be implemented on a single chip, such as chip 104. Insome other embodiments, they may be implemented on separate chips.

RF (radio frequency) circuitry 108 receives and sends RF signals, alsocalled electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 108 converts electricalsignals to/from electromagnetic signals and communicates withcommunications networks and other communications devices via theelectromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 108 may include well-knowncircuitry for performing these functions, including but not limited toan antenna system, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner,one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, asubscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory, and so forth. RFcircuitry 108 may communicate with networks, such as the Internet, alsoreferred to as the World Wide Web (WWW), an intranet and/or a wirelessnetwork, such as a cellular telephone network, a wireless local areanetwork (LAN) and/or a metropolitan area network (MAN), and otherdevices by wireless communication. The wireless communication may useany of a plurality of communications standards, protocols andtechnologies, including but not limited to Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), high-speeddownlink packet access (HSDPA), high-speed uplink packet access (HSUPA),wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), code division multipleaccess (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Bluetooth, WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and/orIEEE 802.11n), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, a protocolfor e-mail (e.g., Internet message access protocol (IMAP) and/or postoffice protocol (POP)), instant messaging (e.g., extensible messagingand presence protocol (XMPP), Session Initiation Protocol for InstantMessaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), Instant Messagingand Presence Service (IMPS)), and/or Short Message Service (SMS), or anyother suitable communication protocol, including communication protocolsnot yet developed as of the filing date of this document.

Audio circuitry 110, speaker 111, and microphone 113 provide an audiointerface between a user and device 100. Audio circuitry 110 receivesaudio data from peripherals interface 118, converts the audio data to anelectrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal to speaker 111.Speaker 111 converts the electrical signal to human-audible sound waves.Audio circuitry 110 also receives electrical signals converted bymicrophone 113 from sound waves. Audio circuitry 110 converts theelectrical signal to audio data and transmits the audio data toperipherals interface 118 for processing. Audio data may be retrievedfrom and/or transmitted to memory 102 and/or RF circuitry 108 byperipherals interface 118. In some embodiments, audio circuitry 110 alsoincludes a headset jack (e.g., 212, FIG. 2). The headset jack providesan interface between audio circuitry 110 and removable audioinput/output peripherals, such as output-only headphones or a headsetwith both output (e.g., a headphone for one or both ears) and input(e.g., a microphone).

I/O subsystem 106 couples input/output peripherals on device 100, suchas touch screen 112 and other input control devices 116, to peripheralsinterface 118. I/O subsystem 106 may include display controller 156 andone or more input controllers 160 for other input or control devices.The one or more input controllers 160 receive/send electrical signalsfrom/to other input or control devices 116. The other input controldevices 116 may include physical buttons (e.g., push buttons, rockerbuttons, etc.), dials, slider switches, joysticks, click wheels, and soforth. In some alternate embodiments, input controller(s) 160 may becoupled to any (or none) of the following: a keyboard, infrared port,USB port, and a pointer device such as a mouse. The one or more buttons(e.g., 208, FIG. 2) may include an up/down button for volume control ofspeaker 111 and/or microphone 113. The one or more buttons may include apush button (e.g., 206, FIG. 2).

Touch-sensitive display 112 provides an input interface and an outputinterface between the device and a user. Display controller 156 receivesand/or sends electrical signals from/to touch screen 112. Touch screen112 displays visual output to the user. The visual output may includegraphics, text, icons, video, and any combination thereof (collectivelytermed “graphics”). In some embodiments, some or all of the visualoutput may correspond to user-interface objects.

Touch screen 112 has a touch-sensitive surface, sensor or set of sensorsthat accepts input from the user based on haptic and/or tactile contact.Touch screen 112 and display controller 156 (along with any associatedmodules and/or sets of instructions in memory 102) detect contact (andany movement or breaking of the contact) on touch screen 112 andconverts the detected contact into interaction with user-interfaceobjects (e.g., one or more soft keys, icons, web pages or images) thatare displayed on touch screen 112. In an exemplary embodiment, a pointof contact between touch screen 112 and the user corresponds to a fingerof the user.

Touch screen 112 may use LCD (liquid crystal display) technology, LPD(light emitting polymer display) technology, or LED (light emittingdiode) technology, although other display technologies may be used inother embodiments. Touch screen 112 and display controller 156 maydetect contact and any movement or breaking thereof using any of aplurality of touch sensing technologies now known or later developed,including but not limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared, andsurface acoustic wave technologies, as well as other proximity sensorarrays or other elements for determining one or more points of contactwith touch screen 112. In an exemplary embodiment, projected mutualcapacitance sensing technology is used, such as that found in theiPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad® from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.

Touch screen 112 may have a video resolution in excess of 100 dpi. Insome embodiments, the touch screen has a video resolution ofapproximately 160 dpi. The user may make contact with touch screen 112using any suitable object or appendage, such as a stylus, a finger, andso forth. In some embodiments, the user interface is designed to workprimarily with finger-based contacts and gestures, which can be lessprecise than stylus-based input due to the larger area of contact of afinger on the touch screen. In some embodiments, the device translatesthe rough finger-based input into a precise pointer/cursor position orcommand for performing the actions desired by the user.

In some embodiments, in addition to the touch screen, device 100 mayinclude a touchpad (not shown) for activating or deactivating particularfunctions. In some embodiments, the touchpad is a touch-sensitive areaof the device that, unlike the touch screen, does not display visualoutput. The touchpad may be a touch-sensitive surface that is separatefrom touch screen 112 or an extension of the touch-sensitive surfaceformed by the touch screen.

Device 100 also includes power system 162 for powering the variouscomponents. Power system 162 may include a power management system, oneor more power sources (e.g., battery, alternating current (AC)), arecharging system, a power failure detection circuit, a power converteror inverter, a power status indicator (e.g., a light-emitting diode(LED)) and any other components associated with the generation,management and distribution of power in portable devices.

Device 100 may also include one or more optical sensors 164. FIG. 1Ashows an optical sensor coupled to optical sensor controller 158 in I/Osubsystem 106. Optical sensor 164 may include charge-coupled device(CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)phototransistors. Optical sensor 164 receives light from theenvironment, projected through one or more lens, and converts the lightto data representing an image. In conjunction with imaging module 143(also called a camera module), optical sensor 164 may capture stillimages or video. In some embodiments, an optical sensor is located onthe back of device 100, opposite touch screen display 112 on the frontof the device, so that the touch screen display may be used as aviewfinder for still and/or video image acquisition. In someembodiments, another optical sensor is located on the front of thedevice so that the user's image may be obtained for videoconferencingwhile the user views the other video conference participants on thetouch screen display.

Device 100 may also include one or more proximity sensors 166. FIG. 1Ashows proximity sensor 166 coupled to peripherals interface 118.Alternately, proximity sensor 166 may be coupled to input controller 160in I/O subsystem 106. In some embodiments, the proximity sensor turnsoff and disables touch screen 112 when the multifunction device isplaced near the user's ear (e.g., when the user is making a phone call).

Device 100 may also include one or more accelerometers 168. FIG. 1Ashows accelerometer 168 coupled to peripherals interface 118.Alternately, accelerometer 168 may be coupled to an input controller 160in I/O subsystem 106. In some embodiments, information is displayed onthe touch screen display in a portrait view or a landscape view based onan analysis of data received from the one or more accelerometers. Device100 optionally includes, in addition to accelerometer(s) 168, amagnetometer (not shown) and a GPS (or GLONASS or other globalnavigation system) receiver (not shown) for obtaining informationconcerning the location and orientation (e.g., portrait or landscape) ofdevice 100.

In some embodiments, the software components stored in memory 102include operating system 126, communication module (or set ofinstructions) 128, contact/motion module (or set of instructions) 130,graphics module (or set of instructions) 132, text input module (or setof instructions) 134, Global Positioning System (GPS) module (or set ofinstructions) 135, and applications (or sets of instructions) 136.Furthermore, in some embodiments memory 102 stores device/globalinternal state 157, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 3. Device/global internalstate 157 includes one or more of: active application state, indicatingwhich applications, if any, are currently active; display state,indicating what applications, views or other information occupy variousregions of touch screen display 112; sensor state, including informationobtained from the device's various sensors and input control devices116; and location information concerning the device's location and/orattitude.

Operating system 126 (e.g., Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OS X, WINDOWS, oran embedded operating system such as VxWorks) includes various softwarecomponents and/or drivers for controlling and managing general systemtasks (e.g., memory management, storage device control, powermanagement, etc.) and facilitates communication between various hardwareand software components.

Communication module 128 facilitates communication with other devices(e.g., refreshable braille display 476, FIG. 4C or 4D) over one or moreexternal ports 124 and also includes various software components forhandling data received by RF circuitry 108 and/or external port 124.External port 124 (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB), FIREWIRE, etc.) isadapted for coupling directly to other devices (e.g., refreshablebraille display 476, FIG. 4C or 4D) or indirectly over a network (e.g.,the Internet, wireless LAN, etc.). In some embodiments, the externalport is a multi-pin (e.g., 30-pin) connector that is the same as, orsimilar to and/or compatible with the 30-pin connector used on iPod(trademark of Apple Inc.) devices.

Contact/motion module 130 may detect contact with touch screen 112 (inconjunction with display controller 156) and other touch sensitivedevices (e.g., a touchpad or physical click wheel). Contact/motionmodule 130 includes various software components for performing variousoperations related to detection of contact, such as determining ifcontact has occurred (e.g., detecting a finger-down event), determiningif there is movement of the contact and tracking the movement across thetouch-sensitive surface (e.g., detecting one or more finger-draggingevents), and determining if the contact has ceased (e.g., detecting afinger-up event or a break in contact). Contact/motion module 130receives contact data from the touch-sensitive surface. Determiningmovement of the point of contact, which is represented by a series ofcontact data, may include determining speed (magnitude), velocity(magnitude and direction), and/or an acceleration (a change in magnitudeand/or direction) of the point of contact. These operations may beapplied to single contacts (e.g., one finger contacts) or to multiplesimultaneous contacts (e.g., “multitouch”/multiple finger contacts). Insome embodiments, contact/motion module 130 and display controller 156detect contact on a touchpad.

Contact/motion module 130 may detect a gesture input by a user.Different gestures on the touch-sensitive surface have different contactpatterns. Thus, a gesture may be detected by detecting a particularcontact pattern. For example, detecting a finger tap gesture includesdetecting a finger-down event followed by detecting a finger-up (liftoff) event at the same position (or substantially the same position) asthe finger-down event (e.g., at the position of an icon). As anotherexample, detecting a finger swipe gesture on the touch-sensitive surfaceincludes detecting a finger-down event followed by detecting one or morefinger-dragging events, and subsequently followed by detecting afinger-up (lift off) event.

Graphics module 132 includes various known software components forrendering and displaying graphics on touch screen 112 or other display,including components for changing the intensity of graphics that aredisplayed. As used herein, the term “graphics” includes any object thatcan be displayed to a user, including without limitation text, webpages, icons (such as user-interface objects including soft keys),digital images, videos, animations and the like.

In some embodiments, graphics module 132 stores data representinggraphics to be used. Each graphic may be assigned a corresponding code.Graphics module 132 receives, from applications etc., one or more codesspecifying graphics to be displayed along with, if necessary, coordinatedata and other graphic property data, and then generates screen imagedata to output to display controller 156.

Text input module 134, which may be a component of graphics module 132,provides soft keyboards for entering text in various applications (e.g.,contacts 137, e-mail 140, IM 141, browser 147, and any other applicationthat needs text input).

GPS module 135 determines the location of the device and provides thisinformation for use in various applications (e.g., to telephone 138 foruse in location-based dialing, to camera 143 as picture/video metadata,and to applications that provide location-based services such as weatherwidgets, local yellow page widgets, and map/navigation widgets).

Applications 136 may include the following modules (or sets ofinstructions), or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   contacts module 137 (sometimes called an address book or contact        list);    -   telephone module 138;    -   video conferencing module 139;    -   e-mail client module 140;    -   instant messaging (IM) module 141;    -   workout support module 142;    -   camera module 143 for still and/or video images;    -   image management module 144;    -   browser module 147;    -   calendar module 148;    -   widget modules 149, which may include one or more of: weather        widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget 149-3,        alarm clock widget 149-4, dictionary widget 149-5, and other        widgets obtained by the user, as well as user-created widgets        149-6;    -   widget creator module 150 for making user-created widgets 149-6;    -   search module 151;    -   video and music player module 152, which may be made up of a        video player module and a music player module;    -   notes module 153;    -   map module 154;    -   online video module 155; and/or    -   text-to-speech module 194.

Examples of other applications 136 that may be stored in memory 102include other word processing applications, other image editingapplications, drawing applications, presentation applications,JAVA-enabled applications, encryption, digital rights management, voicerecognition, and voice replication.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, contactsmodule 137 may be used to manage an address book or contact list (e.g.,stored in application internal state 192 of contacts module 137 inmemory 102 or memory 370), including: adding name(s) to the addressbook; deleting name(s) from the address book; associating telephonenumber(s), e-mail address(es), physical address(es) or other informationwith a name; associating an image with a name; categorizing and sortingnames; providing telephone numbers or e-mail addresses to initiateand/or facilitate communications by telephone 138, video conference 139,e-mail 140, or IM 141; and so forth.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111,microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller 156, contact module130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, telephone module138 may be used to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to atelephone number, access one or more telephone numbers in address book137, modify a telephone number that has been entered, dial a respectivetelephone number, conduct a conversation and disconnect or hang up whenthe conversation is completed. As noted above, the wirelesscommunication may use any of a plurality of communications standards,protocols and technologies.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111,microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller 156, optical sensor164, optical sensor controller 158, contact module 130, graphics module132, text input module 134, contact list 137, and telephone module 138,videoconferencing module 139 includes executable instructions toinitiate, conduct, and terminate a video conference between a user andone or more other participants in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, e-mail client module 140 includes executable instructions tocreate, send, receive, and manage e-mail in response to userinstructions. In conjunction with image management module 144, e-mailclient module 140 makes it very easy to create and send e-mails withstill or video images taken with camera module 143.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, the instant messaging module 141 includes executableinstructions to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to aninstant message, to modify previously entered characters, to transmit arespective instant message (for example, using a Short Message Service(SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) protocol for telephony-basedinstant messages or using XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS for Internet-basedinstant messages), to receive instant messages and to view receivedinstant messages. In some embodiments, transmitted and/or receivedinstant messages may include graphics, photos, audio files, video filesand/or other attachments as are supported in a MMS and/or an EnhancedMessaging Service (EMS). As used herein, “instant messaging” refers toboth telephony-based messages (e.g., messages sent using SMS or MMS) andInternet-based messages (e.g., messages sent using XMPP, SIMPLE, orIMPS).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, GPS module 135, map module 154, and music player module 146,workout support module 142 includes executable instructions to createworkouts (e.g., with time, distance, and/or calorie burning goals);communicate with workout sensors (sports devices); receive workoutsensor data; calibrate sensors used to monitor a workout; select andplay music for a workout; and display, store and transmit workout data.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, opticalsensor(s) 164, optical sensor controller 158, contact module 130,graphics module 132, and image management module 144, camera module 143includes executable instructions to capture still images or video(including a video stream) and store them into memory 102, modifycharacteristics of a still image or video, or delete a still image orvideo from memory 102.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, text input module 134, and cameramodule 143, image management module 144 includes executable instructionsto arrange, modify (e.g., edit), or otherwise manipulate, label, delete,present (e.g., in a digital slide show or album), and store still and/orvideo images.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, browser module 147 includes executable instructions tobrowse the Internet in accordance with user instructions, includingsearching, linking to, receiving, and displaying web pages or portionsthereof, as well as attachments and other files linked to web pages.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, e-mail client module 140, and browser module 147, calendarmodule 148 includes executable instructions to create, display, modify,and store calendars and data associated with calendars (e.g., calendarentries, to do lists, etc.) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, and browser module 147, widget modules 149 aremini-applications that may be downloaded and used by a user (e.g.,weather widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget 149-3,alarm clock widget 149-4, and dictionary widget 149-5) or created by theuser (e.g., user-created widget 149-6). In some embodiments, a widgetincludes an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) file, a CSS (CascadingStyle Sheets) file, and a JavaScript file. In some embodiments, a widgetincludes an XML (Extensible Markup Language) file and a JavaScript file(e.g., Yahoo! Widgets).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, and browser module 147, the widget creator module 150 may beused by a user to create widgets (e.g., turning a user-specified portionof a web page into a widget).

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134,search module 151 includes executable instructions to search for text,music, sound, image, video, and/or other files in memory 102 that matchone or more search criteria (e.g., one or more user-specified searchterms) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, speaker111, RF circuitry 108, and browser module 147, video and music playermodule 152 includes executable instructions that allow the user todownload and play back recorded music and other sound files stored inone or more file formats, such as MP3 or AAC files, and executableinstructions to display, present or otherwise play back videos (e.g., ontouch screen 112 or on an external, connected display via external port124). In some embodiments, device 100 may include the functionality ofan MP3 player, such as an iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.).

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, notes module153 includes executable instructions to create and manage notes, to dolists, and the like in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, GPS module 135, and browser module 147, map module 154 maybe used to receive, display, modify, and store maps and data associatedwith maps (e.g., driving directions; data on stores and other points ofinterest at or near a particular location; and other location-baseddata) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, speaker111, RF circuitry 108, text input module 134, e-mail client module 140,and browser module 147, online video module 155 includes instructionsthat allow the user to access, browse, receive (e.g., by streamingand/or download), play back (e.g., on the touch screen or on anexternal, connected display via external port 124), send an e-mail witha link to a particular online video, and otherwise manage online videosin one or more file formats, such as H.264. In some embodiments, instantmessaging module 141, rather than e-mail client module 140, is used tosend a link to a particular online video.

In conjunction with audio circuitry 110 and speaker 111, text-to-speechmodule includes instructions that produce audible speech from text. Thetext is sourced from a document (e.g., a web page, word processingdocument), text associated with user interface elements (e.g., icontext, tool tips), or text associated with content (e.g., contentmetadata, captions). In some embodiments, the speech is produced inaccordance with any of a plurality of speaker profiles 196. A speakerprofile specifies parameters based on which the speech is produced. Insome embodiments, the parameters include one or more of: age, gender,speech rate, and intonation. For example, if a speaker profile specifiesa 65-year-old woman, then speech produced from text in accordance withthe speaker profile simulates the voice of a 65-year-old woman.

Each of the above identified modules and applications correspond to aset of executable instructions for performing one or more functionsdescribed above and the methods described in this application (e.g., thecomputer-implemented methods and other information processing methodsdescribed herein). These modules (i.e., sets of instructions) need notbe implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, andthus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwisere-arranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, memory 102 maystore a subset of the modules and data structures identified above.Furthermore, memory 102 may store additional modules and data structuresnot described above.

In some embodiments, device 100 is a device where operation of apredefined set of functions on the device is performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen and/or a touchpad. By using a touch screen and/ora touchpad as the primary input control device for operation of device100, the number of physical input control devices (such as push buttons,dials, and the like) on device 100 may be reduced.

The predefined set of functions that may be performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen and/or a touchpad include navigation between userinterfaces. In some embodiments, the touchpad, when touched by the user,navigates device 100 to a main, home, or root menu from any userinterface that may be displayed on device 100. In such embodiments, thetouchpad may be referred to as a “menu button.” In some otherembodiments, the menu button may be a physical push button or otherphysical input control device instead of a touchpad.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components for eventhandling in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments,memory 102 (in FIG. 1A) or 370 (FIG. 3) includes event sorter 170 (e.g.,in operating system 126) and a respective application 136-1 (e.g., anyof the aforementioned applications 137-151, 155, 380-390).

Event sorter 170 receives event information and determines theapplication 136-1 and application view 191 of application 136-1 to whichto deliver the event information. Event sorter 170 includes eventmonitor 171 and event dispatcher module 174. In some embodiments,application 136-1 includes application internal state 192, whichindicates the current application view(s) displayed on touch sensitivedisplay 112 when the application is active or executing. In someembodiments, device/global internal state 157 is used by event sorter170 to determine which application(s) is (are) currently active, andapplication internal state 192 is used by event sorter 170 to determineapplication views 191 to which to deliver event information.

In some embodiments, application internal state 192 includes additionalinformation, such as one or more of: resume information to be used whenapplication 136-1 resumes execution, user interface state informationthat indicates information being displayed or that is ready for displayby application 136-1, a state queue for enabling the user to go back toa prior state or view of application 136-1, and a redo/undo queue ofprevious actions taken by the user.

Event monitor 171 receives event information from peripherals interface118. Event information includes information about a sub-event (e.g., auser touch on touch-sensitive display 112, as part of a multi-touchgesture). Peripherals interface 118 transmits information it receivesfrom I/O subsystem 106 or a sensor, such as proximity sensor 166,accelerometer(s) 168, and/or microphone 113 (through audio circuitry110). Information that peripherals interface 118 receives from I/Osubsystem 106 includes information from touch-sensitive display 112 or atouch-sensitive surface.

In some embodiments, event monitor 171 sends requests to the peripheralsinterface 118 at predetermined intervals. In response, peripheralsinterface 118 transmits event information. In other embodiments,peripheral interface 118 transmits event information only when there isa significant event (e.g., receiving an input above a predeterminednoise threshold and/or for more than a predetermined duration).

In some embodiments, event sorter 170 also includes a hit viewdetermination module 172 and/or an active event recognizer determinationmodule 173.

Hit view determination module 172 provides software procedures fordetermining where a sub-event has taken place within one or more views,when touch sensitive display 112 displays more than one view. Views aremade up of controls and other elements that a user can see on thedisplay.

Another aspect of the user interface associated with an application is aset of views, sometimes herein called application views or userinterface windows, in which information is displayed and touch-basedgestures occur. The application views (of a respective application) inwhich a touch is detected may correspond to programmatic levels within aprogrammatic or view hierarchy of the application. For example, thelowest level view in which a touch is detected may be called the hitview, and the set of events that are recognized as proper inputs may bedetermined based, at least in part, on the hit view of the initial touchthat begins a touch-based gesture.

Hit view determination module 172 receives information related tosub-events of a touch-based gesture. When an application has multipleviews organized in a hierarchy, hit view determination module 172identifies a hit view as the lowest view in the hierarchy which shouldhandle the sub-event. In most circumstances, the hit view is the lowestlevel view in which an initiating sub-event occurs (i.e., the firstsub-event in the sequence of sub-events that form an event or potentialevent). Once the hit view is identified by the hit view determinationmodule, the hit view typically receives all sub-events related to thesame touch or input source for which it was identified as the hit view.

Active event recognizer determination module 173 determines which viewor views within a view hierarchy should receive a particular sequence ofsub-events. In some embodiments, active event recognizer determinationmodule 173 determines that only the hit view should receive a particularsequence of sub-events. In other embodiments, active event recognizerdetermination module 173 determines that all views that include thephysical location of a sub-event are actively involved views, andtherefore determines that all actively involved views should receive aparticular sequence of sub-events. In other embodiments, even if touchsub-events were entirely confined to the area associated with oneparticular view, views higher in the hierarchy would still remain asactively involved views.

Event dispatcher module 174 dispatches the event information to an eventrecognizer (e.g., event recognizer 180). In embodiments including activeevent recognizer determination module 173, event dispatcher module 174delivers the event information to an event recognizer determined byactive event recognizer determination module 173. In some embodiments,event dispatcher module 174 stores in an event queue the eventinformation, which is retrieved by a respective event receiver module182.

In some embodiments, operating system 126 includes event sorter 170.Alternatively, application 136-1 includes event sorter 170. In yet otherembodiments, event sorter 170 is a stand-alone module, or a part ofanother module stored in memory 102, such as contact/motion module 130.

In some embodiments, application 136-1 includes a plurality of eventhandlers 190 and one or more application views 191, each of whichincludes instructions for handling touch events that occur within arespective view of the application's user interface. Each applicationview 191 of the application 136-1 includes one or more event recognizers180. Typically, a respective application view 191 includes a pluralityof event recognizers 180. In other embodiments, one or more of eventrecognizers 180 are part of a separate module, such as a user interfacekit (not shown) or a higher level object from which application 136-1inherits methods and other properties. In some embodiments, a respectiveevent handler 190 includes one or more of: data updater 176, objectupdater 177, GUI updater 178, and/or event data 179 received from eventsorter 170. Event handler 190 may utilize or call data updater 176,object updater 177 or GUI updater 178 to update the application internalstate 192. Alternatively, one or more of the application views 191includes one or more respective event handlers 190. Also, in someembodiments, one or more of data updater 176, object updater 177, andGUI updater 178 are included in a respective application view 191.

A respective event recognizer 180 receives event information (e.g.,event data 179) from event sorter 170, and identifies an event from theevent information. Event recognizer 180 includes event receiver 182 andevent comparator 184. In some embodiments, event recognizer 180 alsoincludes at least a subset of: metadata 183, and event deliveryinstructions 188 (which may include sub-event delivery instructions).

Event receiver 182 receives event information from event sorter 170. Theevent information includes information about a sub-event, for example, atouch or a touch movement. Depending on the sub-event, the eventinformation also includes additional information, such as location ofthe sub-event. When the sub-event concerns motion of a touch the eventinformation may also include speed and direction of the sub-event. Insome embodiments, events include rotation of the device from oneorientation to another (e.g., from a portrait orientation to a landscapeorientation, or vice versa), and the event information includescorresponding information about the current orientation (also calleddevice attitude) of the device.

Event comparator 184 compares the event information to predefined eventor sub-event definitions and, based on the comparison, determines anevent or sub-event, or determines or updates the state of an event orsub-event. In some embodiments, event comparator 184 includes eventdefinitions 186. Event definitions 186 contain definitions of events(e.g., predefined sequences of sub-events), for example, event 1(187-1), event 2 (187-2), and others. In some embodiments, sub-events inan event 187 include, for example, touch begin, touch end, touchmovement, touch cancellation, and multiple touching. In one example, thedefinition for event 1 (187-1) is a double tap on a displayed object.The double tap, for example, comprises a first touch (touch begin) onthe displayed object for a predetermined phase, a first lift-off (touchend) for a predetermined phase, a second touch (touch begin) on thedisplayed object for a predetermined phase, and a second lift-off (touchend) for a predetermined phase. In another example, the definition forevent 2 (187-2) is a dragging on a displayed object. The dragging, forexample, comprises a touch (or contact) on the displayed object for apredetermined phase, a movement of the touch across touch-sensitivedisplay 112, and lift-off of the touch (touch end). In some embodiments,the event also includes information for one or more associated eventhandlers 190.

In some embodiments, event definition 187 includes a definition of anevent for a respective user-interface object. In some embodiments, eventcomparator 184 performs a hit test to determine which user-interfaceobject is associated with a sub-event. For example, in an applicationview in which three user-interface objects are displayed ontouch-sensitive display 112, when a touch is detected on touch-sensitivedisplay 112, event comparator 184 performs a hit test to determine whichof the three user-interface objects is associated with the touch(sub-event). If each displayed object is associated with a respectiveevent handler 190, the event comparator uses the result of the hit testto determine which event handler 190 should be activated. For example,event comparator 184 selects an event handler associated with thesub-event and the object triggering the hit test.

In some embodiments, the definition for a respective event 187 alsoincludes delayed actions that delay delivery of the event informationuntil after it has been determined whether the sequence of sub-eventsdoes or does not correspond to the event recognizer's event type.

When a respective event recognizer 180 determines that the series ofsub-events do not match any of the events in event definitions 186, therespective event recognizer 180 enters an event impossible, eventfailed, or event ended state, after which it disregards subsequentsub-events of the touch-based gesture. In this situation, other eventrecognizers, if any, that remain active for the hit view continue totrack and process sub-events of an ongoing touch-based gesture.

In some embodiments, a respective event recognizer 180 includes metadata183 with configurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicate howthe event delivery system should perform sub-event delivery to activelyinvolved event recognizers. In some embodiments, metadata 183 includesconfigurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicate how eventrecognizers may interact with one another. In some embodiments, metadata183 includes configurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicatewhether sub-events are delivered to varying levels in the view orprogrammatic hierarchy.

In some embodiments, a respective event recognizer 180 activates eventhandler 190 associated with an event when one or more particularsub-events of an event are recognized. In some embodiments, a respectiveevent recognizer 180 delivers event information associated with theevent to event handler 190. Activating an event handler 190 is distinctfrom sending (and deferred sending) sub-events to a respective hit view.In some embodiments, event recognizer 180 throws a flag associated withthe recognized event, and event handler 190 associated with the flagcatches the flag and performs a predefined process.

In some embodiments, event delivery instructions 188 include sub-eventdelivery instructions that deliver event information about a sub-eventwithout activating an event handler. Instead, the sub-event deliveryinstructions deliver event information to event handlers associated withthe series of sub-events or to actively involved views. Event handlersassociated with the series of sub-events or with actively involved viewsreceive the event information and perform a predetermined process.

In some embodiments, data updater 176 creates and updates data used inapplication 136-1. For example, data updater 176 updates the telephonenumber used in contacts module 137, or stores a video file used in videoplayer module 145. In some embodiments, object updater 177 creates andupdates objects used in application 136-1. For example, object updater176 creates a new user-interface object or updates the position of auser-interface object. GUI updater 178 updates the GUI. For example, GUIupdater 178 prepares display information and sends it to graphics module132 for display on a touch-sensitive display.

In some embodiments, event handler(s) 190 includes or has access to dataupdater 176, object updater 177, and GUI updater 178. In someembodiments, data updater 176, object updater 177, and GUI updater 178are included in a single module of a respective application 136-1 orapplication view 191. In other embodiments, they are included in two ormore software modules.

It shall be understood that the foregoing discussion regarding eventhandling of user touches on touch-sensitive displays also applies toother forms of user inputs to operate multifunction devices 100 withinput-devices, not all of which are initiated on touch screens, e.g.,coordinating mouse movement and mouse button presses with or withoutsingle or multiple keyboard presses or holds, user movements taps,drags, scrolls, etc., on touch-pads, pen stylus inputs, movement of thedevice, oral instructions, detected eye movements, biometric inputs,button presses on a braille display, and/or any combination thereof,which may be utilized as inputs corresponding to sub-events which definean event to be recognized.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portable multifunction device 100 having a touchscreen 112 in accordance with some embodiments. The touch screen maydisplay one or more graphics within user interface (UI) 200. In thisembodiment, as well as others described below, a user may select one ormore of the graphics by making a gesture on the graphics, for example,with one or more fingers 202 (not drawn to scale in the figure) or oneor more styluses 203 (not drawn to scale in the figure). In someembodiments, selection of one or more graphics occurs when the userbreaks contact with the one or more graphics. In some embodiments, thegesture may include one or more taps, one or more swipes (from left toright, right to left, upward and/or downward) and/or a rolling of afinger (from right to left, left to right, upward and/or downward) thathas made contact with device 100. In some embodiments, inadvertentcontact with a graphic may not select the graphic. For example, a swipegesture that sweeps over an application icon may not select thecorresponding application when the gesture corresponding to selection isa tap.

Device 100 may also include one or more physical buttons, such as “home”or menu button 204. As described previously, menu button 204 may be usedto navigate to any application 136 in a set of applications that may beexecuted on device 100. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the menubutton is implemented as a soft key in a GUI displayed on touch screen112.

In one embodiment, device 100 includes touch screen 112, menu button204, push button 206 for powering the device on/off and locking thedevice, volume adjustment button(s) 208, Subscriber Identity Module(SIM) card slot 210, head set jack 212, and docking/charging externalport 124. Push button 206 may be used to turn the power on/off on thedevice by depressing the button and holding the button in the depressedstate for a predefined time interval; to lock the device by depressingthe button and releasing the button before the predefined time intervalhas elapsed; and/or to unlock the device or initiate an unlock process.In an alternative embodiment, device 100 also may accept verbal inputfor activation or deactivation of some functions through microphone 113.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary multifunction device with adisplay and a touch-sensitive surface in accordance with someembodiments. Device 300 need not be portable. In some embodiments,device 300 is a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer,a multimedia player device, a navigation device, an educational device(such as a child's learning toy), a gaming system, or a control device(e.g., a home or industrial controller). Device 300 typically includesone or more processing units (CPU's) 310, one or more network or othercommunications interfaces 360, memory 370, and one or more communicationbuses 320 for interconnecting these components. Communication buses 320may include circuitry (sometimes called a chipset) that interconnectsand controls communications between system components. Device 300includes input/output (I/O) interface 330 comprising display 340, whichis typically a touch screen display. I/O interface 330 also may includea keyboard and/or mouse (or other pointing device) 350 and touchpad 355.Memory 370 includes high-speed random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM,DDR RAM or other random access solid state memory devices; and mayinclude non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storagedevices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or othernon-volatile solid state storage devices. Memory 370 may optionallyinclude one or more storage devices remotely located from CPU(s) 310. Insome embodiments, memory 370 stores programs, modules, and datastructures analogous to the programs, modules, and data structuresstored in memory 102 of portable multifunction device 100 (FIG. 1), or asubset thereof. Furthermore, memory 370 may store additional programs,modules, and data structures not present in memory 102 of portablemultifunction device 100. For example, memory 370 of device 300 maystore drawing module 380, presentation module 382, word processingmodule 384, website creation module 386, disk authoring module 388,and/or spreadsheet module 390, while memory 102 of portablemultifunction device 100 (FIG. 1) may not store these modules.

Each of the above identified elements in FIG. 3 may be stored in one ormore of the previously mentioned memory devices. Each of the aboveidentified modules corresponds to a set of instructions for performing afunction described above. The above identified modules or programs(i.e., sets of instructions) need not be implemented as separatesoftware programs, procedures or modules, and thus various subsets ofthese modules may be combined or otherwise re-arranged in variousembodiments. In some embodiments, memory 370 may store a subset of themodules and data structures identified above. Furthermore, memory 370may store additional modules and data structures not described above.

Attention is now directed towards embodiments of user interfaces (“UI”)that may be implemented on portable multifunction device 100.

FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary user interface for a menu ofapplications on portable multifunction device 100 in accordance withsome embodiments. Similar user interfaces may be implemented on device300. In some embodiments, user interface 400 includes the followingelements, or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   Signal strength indicator(s) 402 for wireless communication(s),        such as cellular and Wi-Fi signals;    -   Time 404;    -   Bluetooth indicator 405;    -   Battery status indicator 406;    -   Tray 408 with icons for frequently used applications, such as:        -   Phone 138, which may include an indicator 414 of the number            of missed calls or voicemail messages;        -   E-mail client 140, which may include an indicator 410 of the            number of unread e-mails;        -   Browser 147; and        -   Video and music player 152, also referred to as iPod            (trademark of Apple Inc.) module 152; and    -   Icons for other applications, such as:        -   IM 141;        -   Image management 144;        -   Camera 143;        -   Weather 149-1;        -   Stocks 149-2;        -   Workout support 142;        -   Calendar 148;        -   Alarm clock 149-4;        -   Map 154;        -   Notes 153;        -   Settings 412, which provides access to settings for device            100 and its various applications 136; and        -   Online video module 155, also referred to as YouTube            (trademark of Google Inc.) module 155.

FIG. 4B illustrates an exemplary user interface on a device (e.g.,device 300, FIG. 3) with a touch-sensitive surface 451 (e.g., a tabletor touchpad 355, FIG. 3) that is separate from the display 450 (e.g.,touch screen display 112). Although many of the examples which followwill be given with reference to inputs on touch screen display 112(where the touch sensitive surface and the display are combined), insome embodiments, the device detects inputs on a touch-sensitive surfacethat is separate from the display, as shown in FIG. 4B. In someembodiments the touch sensitive surface (e.g., 451 in FIG. 4B) has aprimary axis (e.g., 452 in FIG. 4B) that corresponds to a primary axis(e.g., 453 in FIG. 4B) on the display (e.g., 450). In accordance withthese embodiments, the device detects contacts (e.g., 460 and 462 inFIG. 4B) with the touch-sensitive surface 451 at locations thatcorrespond to respective locations on the display (e.g., in FIG. 4B, 460corresponds to 468 and 462 corresponds to 470). In this way, user inputs(e.g., contacts 460 and 462, and movements thereof) detected by thedevice on the touch-sensitive surface (e.g., 451 in FIG. 4B) are used bythe device to manipulate the user interface on the display (e.g., 450 inFIG. 4B) of the multifunction device when the touch-sensitive surface isseparate from the display. It should be understood that similar methodsmay be used for other user interfaces described herein.

FIG. 4C illustrates an exemplary refreshable braille display inconjunction with an electronic device in accordance with someembodiments. In FIG. 4C, refreshable braille display 476 includesmultiple cells 552 or 554 (FIG. 5E) and optionally multiple buttons (notshown). Depending on the particular refreshable braille display, thecells have either six dots per cell (e.g., cells 552) or eight dots percell (e.g., cells 554). Refreshable braille display 476 is connectedwith electronic device 474 (e.g., device 100, FIG. 1A; device 300, FIG.3) by wired or wireless communication channel 484. For example,refreshable braille display 476 may be plugged into external port 124 ofmultifunction device 100. Alternatively, refreshable braille display 476may be connected with electronic device 474 using one or more wirelesscommunication protocols, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Electronic device474 is connected to display 472 separate from electronic device 474 bywired or wireless communication channel 486, which is similar to wiredor wireless communication channel 484.

FIG. 4D illustrates an exemplary refreshable braille display inconjunction with an electronic device in accordance with someembodiments. In FIG. 4D, refreshable braille display 476 is connectedwith the electronic device 475 by wired or wireless communicationchannel 484. The electronic device 475 (e.g., device 100, FIG. 1A;device 300, FIG. 3) includes display 482 (e.g., display 112 or 300). InFIG. 4D, display 482 is integrated with the electronic device, insteadof being separate from the electronic device as in FIG. 4C.

In other words, refreshable braille display 476 can be connected to anelectronic device that includes a display integrated with the device(e.g., as in FIG. 4D) or that is connected to a separate display (e.g.,as in FIG. 4C).

FIG. 4C (or 4D) illustrates caption 478 displayed on display 472 (ordisplay 482) in accordance with some embodiments. Caption 478 isdisplayed in conjunction with video content (not shown). The electronicdevice outputs caption 478 to refreshable braille display 476, whichoutputs caption 478 in Braille, as caption 480. Thus, caption 478 andcaption 480 include the same text; caption 478 is displayed withcharacters for a certain language, for visual comprehension, and caption480 is displayed with Braille for tactile comprehension.

User Interfaces and Associated Processes

Attention is now directed towards embodiments of user interfaces (“UI”)and associated processes that may be implemented on an electronicdevice, such as device 300 or portable multifunction device 100.

FIGS. 5A-5E illustrate exemplary user interfaces for outputting captionsin accordance with some embodiments. The user interfaces in thesefigures are used to illustrate the processes described below, includingthe processes in FIGS. 6A-6C.

It should be appreciated that, as used herein, “captions” include closedcaptions, subtitles, or the like. For convenience, they are all referredto collectively as “captions.”

As described above with reference to FIGS. 4C and 4D, the electronicdevice has an integrated display or is connected to a separate display.For convenience, the embodiments below are described with reference toan electronic device that includes an integrated display (e.g., device475, as in FIG. 4D). It should be appreciated that the embodimentsdescribed below are applicable to an electronic device connected to aseparate display (e.g., device 474, as in FIG. 4C).

FIG. 5A illustrates video 502 being played by the electronic device,with the visual component of video 502 being output to display 482. Asshown in FIG. 5A, segment 502-1 of video 502 is being played. Videosegment 502-1 features speakers 504 and 506.

Video 502 includes video signals and optionally includes audio signals.In some embodiments, when video segment 502-1 is played, the electronicdevice optionally outputs the corresponding audio signals (e.g., speechthat are spoken in video segment 502-1) along with the video signalscorresponding to segment 502-1. In some embodiments, when video segment502-1 is played, the electronic device outputs the corresponding audiosignals (e.g., speech that are spoken in video segment 502-1) withoutoutputting the video signals corresponding to segment 502-1.

Video 502 corresponds to multiple captions. A respective captioncorresponds to particular speech or a particular scene in a respectivesegment of video 502. Respective captions are output at various timeswhile video 502 is playing to be concurrent with the correspondingspeech or scene in the respective segment. Caption 1 508 corresponds tospeech spoken by speaker 504 in segment 502-1; Caption 1 508 correspondsto video segment 502-1.

In some embodiments, the electronic device outputs Caption 1 508 byoutputting Caption 1 508 to display 482 for display on display 482. Insome embodiments, the electronic device outputs Caption 1 508 fordisplay at a particular location on display 482 (e.g., under speaker504, the speaker of the speech to which Caption 1 508 corresponds; onthe left half, center area, or right half of video 502).

In some embodiments, the electronic device outputs Caption 1 508 bygenerating and outputting audible voice signals (not shown)corresponding to Caption 1 508. For example, the electronic device,using text-to-speech module 194, converts the text of Caption 1 508 toaudible voice signals (e.g., synthesized voice speech). In someembodiments, the device generates the audible voice signals inaccordance with a speaker profile. The speaker profile specifies speechparameters (e.g., age of speaker, gender of speaker, speech rate,intonation) that the speech in the audible voice signals simulates. Insome embodiments, the speaker profiles are selectable by the user (e.g.,preconfigured or on the fly).

The electronic device is optionally connected to refreshable brailledisplay 476. In some embodiments, the electronic device outputs Caption1 508 by outputting Caption 1 508 to refreshable braille display 476.Refreshable braille display 476 displays Caption 1 508 in braille asCaption 1 510. In some embodiments, refreshable braille display 476 alsooutputs, in braille, location information 510 and/or speaker information514 along with Caption 1 510. Location information 510 indicates thelocation of Caption 1 508 in video 502. Speaker information 514indicates the identity of the speaker of the speech corresponding toCaption 1 508 (e.g., speaker 504).

The electronic device receives user input 516 (e.g., activation of abutton on the refreshable braille display 476, a swipe or tap gesture ona touch sensitive surface, activation of an arrow key on a keyboard, ora voice command). Input 516 directs the electronic device to determineanother caption different from Caption 1 508 that meets predefinedcaption selection criteria.

In some embodiments, input 516 directs the electronic device todetermine the next caption different from Caption 1 508 that isdisplayed at the same location as Caption 1 508. In other words, input516 directs the electronic device to navigate to the next segment invideo 502 that has a different caption that is displayed at the samelocation as Caption 1 508. Depending on the particular input, thenavigation is either forward or backward within video 502.

Input 516 is made by a user using any suitable input device or methodassociated with the electronic device (e.g., keyboard, mouse, remotecontrol device, touch-sensitive surface, refreshable braille display476, or voice control). In some embodiments, the user makes input 516 byinteracting with a graphical user interface of the electronic deviceusing the above-mentioned input devices or methods.

In response to receiving input 516, the electronic device determines aCaption 2 518, distinct from Caption 1 508, and the segment of video 502that corresponds to the determined caption. The electronic devicechanges from playing video segment 502-1 to playing video segment 502-2and outputs Caption 2 518, as shown in FIG. 5B. Segment 502-2 featuresspeakers 505 and 507. As with Caption 1 508, Caption 2 518 is output bydisplaying on display 482, by generating and outputting correspondingaudible voice signals (not shown), and/or by outputting to refreshablebraille device 476.

In some embodiments, when video segment 502-2 is played, the electronicdevice optionally outputs the corresponding audio signals (e.g., speechthat are spoken in video segment 502-2) along with the video signalscorresponding to segment 502-2. In some embodiments, when video segment502-2 is played, the electronic device outputs the corresponding audiosignals (e.g., speech that are spoken in video segment 502-2) withoutoutputting the video signals corresponding to segment 502-2.

In some embodiments, when the electronic device outputs Caption 2 518 bygenerating and outputting audible voice signals (not shown)corresponding to Caption 2 518, the electronic device generates theaudible voice signals based on a speaker profile. The speaker profilefor Caption 2 518 is, optionally, distinct from the speaker profile forCaption 1 508. For example, a different speaker profile is used forCaption 2 518 if the speaker for the speech corresponding to Caption 2518 is different than the speaker for the speech corresponding toCaption 1 508.

Refreshable braille display 476 displays Caption 2 518 in braille asCaption 2 520. As with Caption 1 (in braille) 510, refreshable brailledisplay 476 optionally displays in braille, along with Caption 2 (inbraille) 520, corresponding location information 522 (analogous tolocation information 512) and/or corresponding speaker information 524(analogous to location information 514).

FIG. 5C illustrates the electronic device playing video 526; segment526-1 being played and is displayed on display 482. The electronicdevice outputs Caption 3 532, corresponding to segment 526-1, bydisplaying on display 482, by generating and outputting correspondingaudible voice signals (not shown) based on a speaker profile, and/or byoutputting to refreshable braille display 476. Segment 526-1 featuresspeakers 528 and 530. Caption 3 532 corresponds to speech spoken byspeaker 528 in segment 526-1. Refreshable braille display 476 displaysCaption 3 532 in braille as Caption 3 534. Refreshable braille display476 optionally displays in braille, along with Caption 3 534,corresponding location information 536 and/or corresponding speakerinformation 538.

Video 526 includes video signals and optionally includes audio signals.In some embodiments, when video segment 526-1 is played, the electronicdevice optionally outputs the corresponding audio signals (e.g., speechthat are spoken in video segment 526-1) along with the video signalscorresponding to segment 526-1. In some embodiments, when video segment526-1 is played, the electronic device outputs the corresponding audiosignals (e.g., speech that are spoken in video segment 526-1) withoutoutputting the video signals corresponding to segment 526-1.

The electronic device receives user input 540 (e.g., activation of abutton on the refreshable braille display 476, a swipe or tap gesture ona touch sensitive surface, activation of an arrow key on a keyboard, ora voice command). Input 540 directs the electronic device to determinethe next caption, different from Caption 3 532, that corresponds to thesame speaker (i.e., speaker 528). In other words, input 540 directs theelectronic device to navigate to the next segment in video 526 that hasa different caption by the same speaker 528 as Caption 3 532. Dependingon the particular input, the navigation is either forward or backwardwithin video 526.

Input 540 is made by a user using any suitable input device or methodassociated with the electronic device (e.g., keyboard, mouse, remotecontrol device, touch-sensitive surface, refreshable braille display476, voice control). In some embodiments, the user makes input 540 byinteracting with a graphical user interface of the electronic deviceusing the above-mentioned input devices or methods.

In response to receiving input 540, the electronic device determines aCaption 4 542, distinct from Caption 3 532, that corresponds to the samespeaker 528 as Caption 3 532, and the segment of video 526 thatcorresponds to the determined caption. The electronic device changesfrom playing video segment 526-1 to playing video segment 526-2 andoutputs Caption 4 542, as shown in FIG. 5D. Segment 526-2 featuresspeaker 528 in a different position than in segment 526-1. As withCaption 3 532, Caption 4 542 is output by displaying on display 482, bygenerating and outputting corresponding audible voice signals (notshown) based on a speaker profile that corresponds to Caption 3 532,and/or by outputting to refreshable braille device 476.

In some embodiments, when video segment 526-2 is played, the electronicdevice optionally outputs the corresponding audio signals (e.g., speechthat are spoken in video segment 526-2) along with the video signalscorresponding to segment 526-2. In some embodiments, when video segment526-2 is played, the electronic device outputs the corresponding audiosignals (e.g., speech that are spoken in video segment 526-2) withoutoutputting the video signals corresponding to segment 526-2.

Refreshable braille display 476 displays Caption 4 542 in braille asCaption 4 544. As with Caption 3 (in braille) 532, refreshable brailledisplay 476 optionally displays in braille, along with Caption 4 (inbraille) 544, corresponding location information 546 and/orcorresponding speaker information 548.

As described above, refreshable braille display 476 displays captions inbraille. Refreshable braille display 476 includes a plurality of cells,with each cell having a number of dots. FIG. 5E illustrates refreshablebraille displays 476-1 and 476-2. Refreshable braille display 476-1includes cells 552-1 thru 552-m. Each cell 552 includes six dots. Insome embodiments, when displaying captions and location/speakerinformation, refreshable braille display 476-1 displays informationcorresponding to the displayed caption (e.g., location information 512,522, 536, or 546; speaker information 514, 524, 538, or 548) in a number(e.g., a number between 1-3, inclusive) of cells 552 (e.g., cells 552-1and 552-2), and displays the characters of the captions in the remainderof the cells (e.g., cells 552-3 thru 552-m). In other words, the cellsof refreshable braille display 476-1 is, optionally, subdivided intoreserved cells for displaying information corresponding to the captionsand cells for displaying the characters of the captions.

Refreshable braille display 476-2 includes cells 554-1 thru 554-n. Eachcell 554 includes eight dots. In some embodiments, when displayingcaptions and location/speaker information, refreshable braille display476-2 displays information corresponding to the displayed caption (e.g.,location information 512, 522, 536, or 546; speaker information 514,524, 538, or 548) in dots 558 of cells 554 reserved as information dots558 (e.g., the lower two dots of each cell 554), and displays thecharacters of the captions in caption dots 556 of cells 554 (e.g., theupper six dots of each cell 554).

In some embodiments, with 8-dot refreshable braille display 476-2,information corresponding to captions is displayed in reserved cells andin information dots 558. For example, location information is displayedin a number of reserved cells (e.g., cells 554-1 and 554-2), thecaptions are displayed in cells 554-3 thru 554-n in caption dots 556,and speaker information is displayed in cells 554-3 thru 554-n ininformation dots 558. In some other embodiments, the speaker informationis displayed in the reserved cells, and the location information isdisplayed in information dots 558 in the captions cells. In other words,a combination of the reserved cells strategy (as with refreshablebraille display 476-1) and the reserved information dots strategy (aswith refreshable braille display 476-2) is used to display captions andcorresponding information (e.g., location information, speakerinformation) on an 8-dot refreshable braille display.

FIGS. 6A-6C are flow diagrams illustrating a method 600 of outputtingcaptions in accordance with some embodiments. The method 600 isperformed at an electronic device (e.g., device 474 or 475, which maycorrespond to device 300, FIG. 3, or portable multifunction device 100,FIG. 1). In some embodiments, a display is integrated with theelectronic device. In some embodiments, the electronic device isconnected to a separate display. Some operations in method 600 may becombined and/or the order of some operations may be changed.

As described below, the method 600 provides a more efficient andaccessible way to output captions. The method reduces the cognitiveburden on a user, thereby creating a more efficient human-machineinterface, particularly for users with impaired vision.

The device outputs (602) a first caption of a plurality of captionswhile a first segment of a video is being played, wherein the firstvideo segment corresponds to the first caption. In some embodiments, theplurality of captions includes subtitles. For example, FIG. 5A showsCaption 1 508 output while video segment 502-1 is being played. FIG. 5Cshows Caption 3 532 output while video segment 526-1 is being played.

While outputting the first caption, the device receives a first userinput (604). For example, the electronic device receives input 516 inFIG. 5A (or input 540 in FIG. 5C) while outputting Caption 1 508 (orCaption 3 532). Exemplary inputs include activation of a button on therefreshable braille display 476, a swipe or tap gesture on a touchsensitive surface, activation of an arrow key on a keyboard, or a voicecommand.

In response to receiving the first user input (606), the devicedetermines (608) a second caption in the plurality of captions, distinctfrom the first caption, that meets predefined caption selectioncriteria; determines (616) a second segment of the video thatcorresponds to the second caption; sends (618) instructions to changefrom playing the first segment of the video to playing the secondsegment of the video; and outputs (622) the second caption. In someembodiments, in response to sending the instructions to change fromplaying the first segment of video to playing the second segment ofvideo, the electronic device changes from playing the first segment ofvideo to playing the second segment of video. In some embodiments, inresponse to sending the instructions to change from playing the firstsegment of video to playing the second segment of video, a displaydevice (e.g., a television or a video player) coupled with theelectronic device changes from playing the first segment of video toplaying the second segment of video.

For example, in response to receiving input 516, the electronic devicedetermines Caption 2 518, distinct from Caption 1 508, that meetspredefined caption selection criteria (e.g., Caption 2 518 occurs at thesame location on the display as Caption 1 508) and corresponding videosegment 502-2, changes from playing video segment 502-1 to playing videosegment 502-2, and outputs Caption 2 518. As another example, inresponse to receiving input 540, the electronic device determinesCaption 4 542, distinct from Caption 3 532, that meets predefinedcaption selection criteria (e.g., Caption 4 542 has the same speaker asCaption 3 532) and corresponding video segment 526-1, changes fromplaying video segment 526-1 to playing video segment 526-2, and outputsCaption 4 542.

In some embodiments, the predefined caption selection criteria include(610) that the first caption and the second caption correspond to a samelocation on a display. In some embodiments, a first set of captions aredisplayed at a first location (e.g., a first predefined area) on thedisplay and a second set of captions are displayed at a second location(e.g., a second predefined area) on the display that is distinct fromthe first location. For example, Caption 2 518 is determined on thebasis of it being displayed at the same location as Caption 1 508.

In some embodiments, captions that satisfy the predefined captionselection criteria have (612) a sequence, and the first caption isadjacent to the second caption in the sequence. In some embodiments,both the first caption and the second caption correspond to a respectivespeaker. In some embodiments, the second caption corresponds to speechby the respective speaker immediately subsequent to speech by therespective speaker that corresponds to the first caption among speechesby the respective speaker. For example, Caption 1 508 and Caption 2 518are adjacent to each other in the sequence of captions displayed at thesame location. As another example, Caption 3 532 and Caption 4 542 areadjacent to each other in the sequence of captions corresponding tospeech by the same speaker.

In some embodiments, the predefined caption selection criteria include(614) that the first caption and the second caption correspond to a samespeaker. For example, Caption 4 542 (FIG. 5D) is determined on the basisof it corresponding to the same speaker as Caption 3 532 (FIG. 5C). Insome embodiments, captions corresponding to the same speaker aredisplayed at the same location (e.g., a predefined area) on the display.In some embodiments, captions that correspond to distinct speakers aredisplayed at distinct locations on the display. For example, captionsthat correspond to a first speaker are displayed at a first location onthe display, and captions that correspond to a second speaker aredisplayed at a second location distinct from the first location on thedisplay.

In some embodiments, the video includes (620) video signals and audiosignals, and playing the video includes outputting audio signals of thevideo without outputting the video signals of the video. For example,when video 502 or 526 is being played, the device optionally outputsjust the audio signals and does not output the video signals (e.g.,video segment 502-1 or 502-2, or video segment 526-1 or 526-1, and thecorresponding captions, are not displayed on display 482). In some otherembodiments, playing the video includes outputting both the videosignals and audio signals of the video.

In some embodiments, outputting the first caption includes (624)outputting a first audible voice signal corresponding to the firstcaption, and outputting the second caption includes outputting a secondaudible voice signal corresponding to the second caption. In someembodiments, the electronic device converts a respective caption into anaudible voice signal. In some embodiments, the electronic deviceincludes a text-to-speech engine. For example, the device outputsaudible voice signals corresponding to Caption 1 508 (FIG. 5A) andaudible voice signals corresponding to Caption 2 518 (FIG. 5B).Similarly, the device outputs audible voice signals corresponding toCaption 3 532 (FIG. 5C) and audible voices signals corresponding toCaption 4 542 (FIG. 5D).

In some embodiments, the electronic device is coupled with a display;outputting the first caption includes displaying the first caption on adisplay; and outputting the second caption includes displaying thesecond caption on the display.

In some embodiments, the first caption corresponds (626) to a firstspeaker and the second caption corresponds to a second speaker distinctfrom the first speaker, outputting the first audible voice signalincludes converting the first caption into the first audible voicesignal based on a first speaker profile, and outputting the secondaudible voice signal includes converting the second caption into thesecond audible voice signal based on a second speaker profile distinctfrom the first speaker profile. Converting a caption into an audiblevoice signal is sometimes called synthesized caption output. In someembodiments, a respective speaker profile corresponds to a voiceselected by a user. In some embodiments, the respective speaker profilecorresponds to a speaker of a respective age and gender selected by theuser. In some embodiments, the respective speaker profile corresponds toa speech rate selected by the user. In some embodiments, the respectivespeaker profile corresponds to an intonation selected by the user. Forexample, Caption 1 508 and Caption 2 518 are converted by the device torespective audible voice signals using different speaker profiles 196when speaker 504 is a different person from speaker 505, whereas Caption3 532 and Caption 4 542 are converted by the device to respectiveaudible voice signals using the same speaker profile 196 because thesame speaker 528 is talking in Caption 3 532 and Caption 4 542.

In some embodiments, the electronic device is coupled (628) with aBraille display, outputting the first caption includes sendinginstructions to the Braille display to output the first caption, andoutputting the second caption includes sending instructions to theBraille display to output the second caption. For example, theelectronic device is coupled with refreshable braille display 476. Thedevice outputs Caption 1 508 by outputting Caption 1 508 to refreshablebraille display 476 for display at refreshable braille display 476, andoutputs Caption 2 518 by outputting Caption 2 518 to refreshable brailledisplay 476 for display at refreshable braille display 476. The deviceoutputs Caption 3 532 by outputting Caption 3 532 to refreshable brailledisplay 476 for display at refreshable braille display 476, and outputsCaption 4 542 by outputting Caption 4 542 to refreshable braille display476 for display at refreshable braille display 476.

In some embodiments, the Braille display is configured (630) to indicatea first location of the first caption and a second location of thesecond caption. In some embodiments, the first location is distinct fromthe second location. In some embodiments, the first location isidentical to the second location. Refreshable braille display 476outputs, for example, location information 512 522, 536, or 546 alongwith Caption 1 508, Caption 2 518, Caption 3 532, and Caption 4 542,respectively.

In some embodiments, the Braille display includes (632) a plurality ofBraille cells, and the Braille display is configured to output arespective caption with a first set of one or more Braille cells andindicate a respective location of the respective caption with a secondset of one or more Braille cells distinct from the first set of one ormore Braille cells. In some embodiments, the first set of one or moreBraille cells does not include any of the second set of one or moreBraille cells. In some embodiments, a respective Braille cell includesseven or more dots, and the Braille display is configured to output arespective character of the respective caption with six or more dots ofthe respective Braille cell and indicate the respective location of therespective caption with one or more dots of the respective Braille cellthat do not include the six or more dots. For example, as shown in FIG.5E, with refreshable braille display 476-1, location information forcaptions is, optionally, displayed in cells 552-1 and 552-2, and thecharacters of the captions are displayed in cells 552-3 thru 552-m.Also, as shown in FIG. 5E, with refreshable braille display 476-2,location information for captions is, optionally, displayed ininformation dots 558 of cells 554, and the characters of the captionsare displayed in caption dots 556 of cells 554.

In some embodiments, the Braille display is configured (634) to indicatea first speaker of the first caption and a second speaker of the secondcaption. In some embodiments, the first speaker is distinct from thesecond speaker. In some embodiments, the first speaker is identical tothe second speaker. Refreshable braille display 476 outputs, forexample, speaker information 514, 524, 538, or 548 along with Caption 1508, Caption 2 518, Caption 3 532, and Caption 4 542, respectively.

In some embodiments, the Braille display includes (636) a plurality ofBraille cells, and the Braille display is configured to output arespective caption with a first set of one or more Braille cells andindicate a respective speaker of the respective caption with a secondset of one or more Braille cells distinct from the first set of one ormore Braille cells. In some embodiments, the first set of one or moreBraille cells does not include any of the second set of one or moreBraille cells. In some embodiments, a respective Braille cell includesseven or more dots, and the Braille display is configured to output arespective character of the respective caption with six or more dots ofthe respective Braille cell and indicate the respective speaker of therespective caption with one or more dots of the respective Braille cellthat do not include the six or more dots. For example, as shown in FIG.5E, with refreshable braille display 476-1, speaker information forcaptions is, optionally, displayed in cells 552-1 and 552-2, and thecharacters of the captions are displayed in cells 552-3 thru 552-m.Also, as shown in FIG. 5E, with refreshable braille display 476-2,speaker information for captions is, optionally, displayed ininformation dots 558 of cells 554, and the characters of the captionsare displayed in caption dots 556 of cells 554.

It should be understood that the particular order in which theoperations in FIGS. 6A-6C have been described is merely exemplary and isnot intended to indicate that the described order is the only order inwhich the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in theart would recognize various ways to reorder the operations describedherein.

In accordance with some embodiments, FIG. 7 shows a functional blockdiagram of an electronic device 700 configured in accordance with theprinciples of the invention as described above. The functional blocks ofthe device may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination ofhardware and software to carry out the principles of the invention. Itis understood by persons of skill in the art that the functional blocksdescribed in FIG. 7 may be combined or separated into sub-blocks toimplement the principles of the invention as described above. Therefore,the description herein may support any possible combination orseparation or further definition of the functional blocks describedherein.

As shown in FIG. 7, an electronic device 700 includes a processing unit706. In some embodiments, the processing unit 706 includes an outputtingunit 708, a receiving unit 710, a determining unit 712, and a sendingunit 714.

The processing unit 706 is configured to: output a first caption of aplurality of captions (e.g., with the outputting unit 708) while a firstsegment of a video is being played, where the first video segmentcorresponds to the first caption; while outputting the first caption,receive a first user input (e.g., with the receiving unit 710); and, inresponse to receiving the first user input: determine a second captionin the plurality of captions, distinct from the first caption, thatmeets predefined caption selection criteria (e.g., with determining unit712); determine a second segment of the video that corresponds to thesecond caption (e.g., with determining unit 712); send instructions tochange from playing the first segment of the video to playing the secondsegment of the video (e.g., with the sending unit 714); and output thesecond caption (e.g., with the outputting unit 708).

In some embodiments, the predefined caption selection criteria includethat the first caption and the second caption correspond to a samelocation on a display.

In some embodiments, captions that satisfy the predefined captionselection criteria have a sequence, and the first caption is adjacent tothe second caption in the sequence.

In some embodiments, outputting the first caption includes outputting afirst audible voice signal corresponding to the first caption, andoutputting the second caption includes outputting a second audible voicesignal corresponding to the second caption.

In some embodiments, the first caption corresponds to a first speakerand the second caption corresponds to a second speaker distinct from thefirst speaker, outputting the first audible voice signal includesconverting the first caption into the first audible voice signal basedon a first speaker profile, and outputting the second audible voicesignal includes converting the second caption into the second audiblevoice signal based on a second speaker profile distinct from the firstspeaker profile.

In some embodiments, the predefined caption selection criteria includethat the first caption and the second caption correspond to a samespeaker.

In some embodiments, the electronic device is coupled with a Brailledisplay unit 716, outputting the first caption includes sendinginstructions to the Braille display unit 716 to output the firstcaption, and outputting the second caption includes sending instructionsto the Braille display unit 716 to output the second caption.

In some embodiments, the Braille display unit 716 is configured toindicate a first location of the first caption and a second location ofthe second caption.

In some embodiments, the Braille display unit 716 includes a pluralityof Braille cells, and the Braille display unit 716 is configured tooutput a respective caption with a first set of one or more Braillecells and indicate a respective location of the respective caption witha second set of one or more Braille cells distinct from the first set ofone or more Braille cells.

In some embodiments, the Braille display unit 716 is configured toindicate a first speaker of the first caption and a second speaker ofthe second caption.

In some embodiments, the Braille display unit 716 includes a pluralityof Braille cells, and the Braille display unit 716 is configured tooutput a respective caption with a first set of one or more Braillecells and indicate a respective speaker of the respective caption with asecond set of one or more Braille cells distinct from the first set ofone or more Braille cells.

In some embodiments, the video includes video signals and audio signals,and playing the video includes outputting audio signals of the videowithout outputting the video signals of the video.

The operations in the information processing methods described above maybe implemented by running one or more functional modules in informationprocessing apparatus such as general purpose processors or applicationspecific chips. These modules, combinations of these modules, and/ortheir combination with general hardware (e.g., as described above withrespect to FIGS. 1A and 3) are all included within the scope ofprotection of the invention.

The operations described above with reference to FIGS. 6A-6C may beimplemented by components depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B. For example,receiving operation 604, determining operations 608 and 616, sendingoperation 618, and outputting operation 622 may be implemented by eventsorter 170, event recognizer 180, and event handler 190. Event monitor171 in event sorter 170 detects a contact on touch-sensitive display112, and event dispatcher module 174 delivers the event information toapplication 136-1. A respective event recognizer 180 of application136-1 compares the event information to respective event definitions186, and determines whether an input corresponds to a predefined eventor sub-event, such as selection of an object on a user interface. When arespective predefined event or sub-event is detected, event recognizer180 activates an event handler 190 associated with the detection of theevent or sub-event. Event handler 190 may utilize or call data updater176 or object updater 177 to update the application internal state 192.In some embodiments, event handler 190 accesses a respective GUI updater178 to update what is displayed by the application. Similarly, it wouldbe clear to a person having ordinary skill in the art how otherprocesses can be implemented based on the components depicted in FIGS.1A-1B.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modificationsand variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical applications, to therebyenable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention andvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: at an electronic device:outputting a first caption of a plurality of captions while a firstsegment of a video is being played, wherein the first video segmentcorresponds to the first caption; while outputting the first caption,receiving a first user input; and, in response to receiving the firstuser input: determining a second caption in the plurality of captions,distinct from the first caption, that meets predefined caption selectioncriteria; determining a second segment of the video that corresponds tothe second caption; sending instructions to change from playing thefirst segment of the video to playing the second segment of the video;and outputting the second caption.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thepredefined caption selection criteria include that the first caption andthe second caption correspond to a same location on a display.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein captions that satisfy the predefined captionselection criteria have a sequence, and the first caption is adjacent tothe second caption in the sequence.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinoutputting the first caption includes outputting a first audible voicesignal corresponding to the first caption, and outputting the secondcaption includes outputting a second audible voice signal correspondingto the second caption.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein: the firstcaption corresponds to a first speaker and the second captioncorresponds to a second speaker distinct from the first speaker;outputting the first audible voice signal includes converting the firstcaption into the first audible voice signal based on a first speakerprofile; and outputting the second audible voice signal includesconverting the second caption into the second audible voice signal basedon a second speaker profile distinct from the first speaker profile. 6.The method of claims 1, wherein: the electronic device is coupled with aBraille display; outputting the first caption includes sendinginstructions to the Braille display to output the first caption; andoutputting the second caption includes sending instructions to theBraille display to output the second caption.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein the Braille display is configured to indicate a first locationof the first caption and a second location of the second caption.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, wherein: the Braille display includes a plurality ofBraille cells; and the Braille display is configured to output arespective caption with a first set of one or more Braille cells andindicate a respective location of the respective caption with a secondset of one or more Braille cells distinct from the first set of one ormore Braille cells.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the Brailledisplay is configured to indicate a first speaker of the first captionand a second speaker of the second caption.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein: the Braille display includes a plurality of Braille cells; andthe Braille display is configured to output a respective caption with afirst set of one or more Braille cells and indicate a respective speakerof the respective caption with a second set of one or more Braille cellsdistinct from the first set of one or more Braille cells.
 11. A computerreadable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or moreprograms comprising instructions, which when executed by an electronicdevice, cause the device to: output a first caption of a plurality ofcaptions while a first segment of a video is being played, wherein thefirst video segment corresponds to the first caption; while outputtingthe first caption, receive a first user input; and, in response toreceiving the first user input: determine a second caption in theplurality of captions, distinct from the first caption, that meetspredefined caption selection criteria; determine a second segment of thevideo that corresponds to the second caption; send instructions tochange from playing the first segment of the video to playing the secondsegment of the video; and output the second caption.
 12. A graphicaluser interface on an electronic device, a memory, and one or moreprocessors to execute one or more programs stored in the memory, thegraphical user interface comprising: a video; wherein: a first captionof the plurality of captions is output while a first segment of thevideo is being played, wherein the first video segment corresponds tothe first caption; and, in response to receiving a first user inputwhile outputting the first caption: a second caption in the plurality ofcaptions, distinct from the first caption, that meets predefined captionselection criteria, is determined; a second segment of the video thatcorresponds to the second caption is determined; instructions to changefrom playing the first segment of the video to playing the secondsegment of the video are sent; and the second caption is output.
 13. Anelectronic device, comprising: one or more processors; memory; and oneor more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in thememory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, theone or more programs including instructions for: outputting a firstcaption of a plurality of captions while a first segment of a video isbeing played, wherein the first video segment corresponds to the firstcaption; while outputting the first caption, receive a first user input;and, in response to receiving the first user input: determining a secondcaption in the plurality of captions, distinct from the first caption,that meets predefined caption selection criteria; determining a secondsegment of the video that corresponds to the second caption; sendinginstructions to change from playing the first segment of the video toplaying the second segment of the video; and outputting the secondcaption.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the predefined captionselection criteria include that the first caption and the second captioncorrespond to a same location on a display.
 15. The device of claim 13,wherein captions that satisfy the predefined caption selection criteriahave a sequence, and the first caption is adjacent to the second captionin the sequence.
 16. The device of claim 13, wherein outputting thefirst caption includes outputting a first audible voice signalcorresponding to the first caption, and outputting the second captionincludes outputting a second audible voice signal corresponding to thesecond caption.
 17. The device of claim 13, wherein: the first captioncorresponds to a first speaker and the second caption corresponds to asecond speaker distinct from the first speaker; outputting the firstaudible voice signal includes converting the first caption into thefirst audible voice signal based on a first speaker profile; andoutputting the second audible voice signal includes converting thesecond caption into the second audible voice signal based on a secondspeaker profile distinct from the first speaker profile.
 18. The deviceof claims 13, wherein the predefined caption selection criteria includethat the first caption and the second caption correspond to a samespeaker.
 19. The device of claim 13, wherein: the electronic device iscoupled with a Braille display unit; outputting the first captionincludes sending instructions to the Braille display unit to output thefirst caption; and outputting the second caption includes sendinginstructions to the Braille display unit to output the second caption.20. The device of claim 19, wherein the Braille display unit isconfigured to indicate a first location of the first caption and asecond location of the second caption.
 21. The device of claim 20,wherein: the Braille display unit includes a plurality of Braille cells;and the Braille display unit is configured to output a respectivecaption with a first set of one or more Braille cells and indicate arespective location of the respective caption with a second set of oneor more Braille cells distinct from the first set of one or more Braillecells.
 22. The device of claim 19, wherein the Braille display unit isconfigured to indicate a first speaker of the first caption and a secondspeaker of the second caption.
 23. The device of claim 22, wherein: theBraille display unit includes a plurality of Braille cells; and theBraille display unit is configured to output a respective caption with afirst set of one or more Braille cells and indicate a respective speakerof the respective caption with a second set of one or more Braille cellsdistinct from the first set of one or more Braille cells.
 24. The deviceof claims 13, wherein: the video includes video signals and audiosignals; and playing the video includes outputting audio signals of thevideo without outputting the video signals of the video.